What did you do today (2015)

Unless your Honda Jazz is turbocharged and has knock sensor adjusted timing (which it doesn't), there's little benefit running it on super unleaded. The calorific value of the super fuel is pretty much the same but it has enhanced resistance to detonation (that's essentially what the octane rating defines). If you aren't boosting the thing to make use of that, you'd need to increase the compression ratio to get any discernible output from that increased octane rating.

Murray

Worked on my loco build and sevice lift. Fitted the bearings into the lift arms and machined the fittings for the buffer keeps. Michael

Hi John

1. Yep - have been a member of Britannia Rescue for many years. Only times I have called recently was to home when, inexplicably, I was unable to start.

2. Have mobile and (very nearly!) always take it with me.

3. Very relevant - signal coverage very variably in places. Additionally I do wonder if, at night, they would manage to find me. A location description of " on the road between x and y " is not always too useful where there are lots of different roads that could be taken between the locations all of them narrow, unlit, lanes with few reference points, especially after dark!

Ah well - there are many advantages to living here.

Regards

Norman

Edited By NJH on 19/01/2015 22:25:40

Today I got the two fire extinguishers up on the walls in the workshop, managed to get my new muffle furnace to run at a 200 degrees celsius for longer than two minutes and made a bracket so that I could fit a second monitor to the Tormach mill so that I can use the CAM software in the workshop.

A good evenings work.

Bob

The fire extinguishers are a a real good idea. I have two 20 pound dry chemical extinguishers in my shop. The only time I have had to use one was a few years back when a nearby neighbor's motor home caught fire. I managed to extinguish the fire before the dry chem ran out and kept the area cool with the chap's water hose until the fire brigade arrived from just down the street a few minutes later. Always be prepared as good old Lord BP used to say..

Hi Bill,

being into old motorcycles has taught me just how easily a fire can start, particularly when you have just set up the ignition timing and you get it wrong.

I also do a fair bit of welding and brazing which is not without risk either.

Recently compiled film clip regarding the teaming up of the Canadian and British Lancs. **LINK**Also a photo showing the Dover cliffs: a sight that brought tears to the eyes of many airmen returning from missions.

Bill

.

Not so much as what I have done today as going to be doing today.! (and probably some of tomorrow)

These puppies got delivered at 1:30 pm

Now to stick them on the machines with blutack and wallpaper paste.

Nick

Nice Nick

I hope your workshop is a lot warmer than mine - I'm still in hibernation mode!

Norman

Wish me luck.Today, n order to maintain matrimonial harmony, I have been mostly painting the entrance hall stairs and landing. However last night, at last, I got round to hooking up the dedicated CAD/CAM computer monitor to my CNC Mill following a lengthy workshop re arrangement. I finally got myself sat in front of the screen and drew a simple 3D drawing using Turbo Cad.

Tonight, aches and pains permitting after all the decorating, I will attempt to translate the drawing into a G-code programme using my CAM Programme.

I am sure there will be the odd bout of profanity just to help the job along, but I will get there.

On the subject of CAD; I did start a course ( AutoCAD.. #1 ? ) many years ago..20+, at my local college but didn't have the time to complete, got as far as polar points, vectors, layers ??, now reading at what some of you guys play with Arduino.. Turbo Cad # ??? has got me thinking again .. being a silver surfer can anyone suggest a nice simple easy self learning system that I might attempt that would keep the grey matter agile..? preferably free ? ( on a pension y'know  .  )

Cheers

George.

Edited By mechman48 on 24/01/2015 15:48:35

George - there are quite a few CAD offerings out there.

I would suggest take a look at Cubify Design - it isn't free but is cheaper than most. It is a somewhat slimmed down version of Geomagic Design (formerly Alibre Design). It is more than adequate for many people. There is a free trial to check it out and free on line training videos.

If you only need 2D - then Draftsight is free and gets many positive comments (I'm told it is very AutoCAD like).

I'm sure others will have alternate suggestions that might also be suitable.

Another vote for Cubify, have a play with the free trail and see if you likeit.

Nick did you only get two scales for the lathe, 3 scales would be nicer if the readouts will combine carrage and topslide movement into one. I should think the Easson ones will allow that so could always be added later. Now get those holes drilled.

J

That's the plan.

When I have some more coins. - I think I have spent enough for one week. lol

I did actually want to see how the profile of the magnetic scales would fit and look without interfering too much if added to the topslide. - Seems it will be OK.

Nick

Been feeling a bit cranky today.

Anyone who saw the 'Vulpestruments' recycled instruments in the Maker Area at the Model Engineer Exhibition might like this bit of ingenuity.

Neil

Concerning CAD, as an experienced user of Autodesk Inventor and Solid Works IMHO Cubify Design excels in ease of use, functionality and price.

After looking at several packages for home use, I have bought Cubify Design which allows 3D part design, assemblies and drawings, it operates similar to the afore mentioned high end packages.

I much prefer 3D design software that allow editing of original sketches used to create the 3d model, this presents all the data when editing. With some packages you don't have the original sketch and edit the 3D part directly which IMO is much less convenient than it would appear.

If you have an interest in 3D cnc or 3D printing and only need 3D part design (i.e. don't need assembly or drawings) then Cubify Invent is available at a very low price.

Nigel

I'd agree with you Nigel. For the price, it's pretty good. Apparently it's the exact same installation as the full Geomagic Design (Alibre) package but simply has some (a lot?) of the features disabled. My trial started out as Cubify Invent and I got it changed to the Alibre Design trial after a few days, simply by entering a new key.

Murray

This isn't actually something I've done myself. It's something my daughter has just made - her first effort in the machine shop. Pretty impressive! Made using lathe and milling machine. Good girl.

When I was at uni in the 80s (Cambridge and Newcastle), we weren't allowed near the workshops, much to my frustration. Lara's studying mech eng at Sheffield Uni - it's great to see they are required to do this kind of work as part of the course these days.

I may have a fight on my hands when the workshop comes out of wraps again.....

Murray

Usual curses aimed at Windows 8....

Edited By Muzzer on 25/01/2015 20:57:36